Senior Team
Colin Carefoot
| Role within the organisation | Overseeing the strategic and corporate governance. |
| Career background and experience | My first experience of paid employment was working at a local restaurant, The Dog and Partridge, pot washing at nights and weekends whilst I was still at school.
Upon leaving school I secured full time employment with W & J Riding Ltd, which was a large national haulage contractor based in Longridge with a fleet of circa 100 wagons. I was employed as an apprentice HGV mechanic on a YTS apprenticeship scheme where I trained in all the various departments including tractor units, trailers, tyre fitting, Stick and TIG welding, MOT prep, servicing, auto-electrics and vehicle painting. In January 1988 I left W & J Ridings and joined Carefoot as a trainee transport planner in the transport office, helping to run the bulk transport fleet along with the material purchasing and planning of deliveries to the construction sites. In the late 90’s I became more involved in the construction and property side of the group, with a real focus on delivering projects on time with zero defects along with growing the property portfolio. In 2001 I was elevated to managing director with the overall responsibility for construction, transport and property. I then spent the next 20 years overseeing steady organic growth and building on the foundations of the previous managing directors, ensuring the company kept the same basic principles since Walter started the company in 1929. Honesty, integrity and being a morally sound company who takes pride in the work we do and the communities we work in and enjoy making a positive difference. I am proud of my tenure as managing director leading the group through various challenging economic landscapes, knowing the company has continued to strengthen the balance sheet with no borrowings, no mortgages, no leases etc and is in a better shape than when I became managing director. In order to keep the company moving forwards in December 2021, I felt the time was right to introduce a new managing director Andrew Cross, who was elevated from a director to managing director. Andrew has taken operational charge as I became CEO taking a more strategic role. |
| What gives you the greatest satisfaction from the work that you do? | I get great satisfaction in knowing that every day I go to work I’m dealing with a fantastic, committed group of people who all want to be part of a company that enjoys making a positive difference to all
the clients, employees and their families and enhancing the communities in which we work, together with the legacy we are creating for the future generations. I also enjoy the interaction with employees, clients, sub-contractors, industry professionals and get to meet a wide variety of characters from all walks of life which makes the role very interesting. |
| Professional qualifications | National and International CPC holder. |
| Hobbies and interests | Socialising with friends and family and various activities to help keep fit, active and mobile including a lot of cycling. |
| Favourite Carefoot moment | Seeing the smile on a happy clients face every time we hand another project over on time, on budget and with zero defects! |
Andrew Cross
| Role within the organisation | My role as managing director involves overseeing projects as well as managing costs and suppliers to ensure delivery is on time and to specification.
I execute the company’s business strategies in order to attain goals, I organise Carefoot’s delivery teams with the main focus being on the client. I am constantly communicating with staff members to ensure projects are running efficiently with sustained success, alongside providing advice where necessary’. I analyse problematic situations, providing solutions to ensure company growth. |
| Career background and experience | During a 33-year career in the industry I have worked my way up from apprentice joiner to director. Prior to joining Carefoot I worked as a quantity surveyor/estimator and project manager.
Experience includes planned maintenance, new build and refurbishment in education, health, commercial and retail sectors of the industry including projects up to a value of £10million. |
| What gives you the greatest satisfaction from the work that you do? | I thoroughly enjoy working as a team, completing jobs efficiently and to a high standard; it is rewarding making a difference building schools and hospitals as well as creating jobs for the local community.
I am passionate about providing opportunities for all our employees and training for apprentices. |
| Professional qualifications | City & Guilds Joinery, HNC and Quantity Surveying Degree |
| Hobbies and interests | I have an interest in farming and DIY. Most of my spare time is spent outdoors! |
| Favourite Carefoot moment | Appointment as managing director, this is closely followed by seeing firsthand the development of trainees, staff and the company as a whole. |
Alan Thompson
| Role within the organisation | I am responsible for overseeing all aspects of construction, quality and health and safety working closely with both the individual contracts and site managers and liaising with our SHEQ Manager.
I am also responsible for our customer care, ensuring client satisfaction is maintained post construction. I regularly assist the managing director in respect to construction recruitment and retainment along with assisting where possible with company objectives and maintaining business procedures. |
| Career background and experience | Joinery, site management, project management, contract management |
| What gives you the greatest satisfaction from the work that you do? | All project handovers and positive client feedback |
| Professional qualifications | City & Guilds Joinery, CITB Site Management Safety Training Scheme, CSCS Black Management Card, Temporary Works Coordinator, Asbestos Awareness, Level 3 Emergency First Aid at Work |
| Hobbies and interests | Darts and golf |
| Favourite Carefoot moment | Appointment as a director |
Natalie Hines
| Role within the organisation | Provide leadership to the commercial and procurement department to ensure business performance target are achieved.
Develop and expand the commercial knowledge of the commercial team, review plans to deliver maximum margin and provide contractual advice during the tendering process. |
| Career background and experience | I have worked in the construction industry for 20 years progressing from assistant quantity surveyor to commercial manager working on refurbishment, new build and heavy civils projects across the North of England.
I have worked on both private and public sector projects up to a value of £11 million. |
| What gives you the greatest satisfaction from the work that you do? | Revisiting projects once they are occupied give me the greatest satisfaction, as well as the work we do within the community whilst a site is live.
I have seen some wonderful contributions to local communities e.g., contributions to local food banks, coffee mornings, clothing donations, planting trees and student engagements. |
| Professional qualifications | BSC in Commercial Management and Quantity Surveying |
| Hobbies and interests | Holistic therapies, exercising and socialising |
| Favourite Carefoot moment | The warm welcome on my first day! |